Chuck is the author of the published novels: Blackbirds, Mockingbird, Under the Empyrean Sky, Blue Blazes, Double Dead, Bait Dog,Dinocalypse Now, Beyond Dinocalypse and Gods & Monsters: Unclean Spirits. He also the author of the soon-to-be-published novels: The Cormorant, Blightborn (Heartland Book #2), Heartland Book #3, Dinocalypse Forever, Frack You, and The Hellsblood Bride. Also coming soon is his compilation book of writing advice from this very blog: The Kick-Ass Writer, coming from Writers Digest.

He, along with writing partner Lance Weiler, is an alum of the Sundance Film Festival Screenwriter’s Lab (2010). Their short film, Pandemic, showed at the Sundance Film Festival 2011, and their feature film HiM is in development with producers Ted Hope and Anne Carey. Together they co-wrote the digital transmedia drama Collapsus, which was nominated for an International Digital Emmy and a Games 4 Change award.

Chuck has contributed over two million words to the game industry, and was the developer of the popular Hunter: The Vigil game line (White Wolf Game Studios / CCP). He was a frequent contributor to The Escapist, writing about games and pop culture.

Much of his writing advice has been collected in various writing- and storytelling-related e-books.

He currently lives in the forests of Pennsyltucky with wife, two dogs, and tiny human.

He is likely drunk and untrustworthy. This blog is NSFW and probably NSFL.

Like this:

Chuck Wendig is a novelist, screenwriter, and game designer. This is his blog. He talks a lot about writing. And food. And the madness of toddlers. He uses lots of naughty language. NSFW. Probably NSFL. Be advised.

The Final Battle

It is up against the mighty cover of Seanan McGuire’s equally mighty Discount Armageddon — Seanan is, of course, my spirit animal and the profane yin to my vulgar yang, and she is a damn fine writer (sweet Sid and Marty Krofft, have you read her Feed series under the name Mira Grant? Do yourself the favor and read, read, read).

So, were Blackbirds to lose this battle — it would be a glorious loss.

BUT WE AIN’T GOING DOWN WITHOUT A LOT OF KICKING AND FLAILING.

When I saw Joey Hi-Fi‘s cover for Blackbirds (and the follow-up, Mockingbird), I about fell over, dizzy. I’d won the cover lottery. It is a truly incredible cover, a cover that sells the book far better than my own writing ever could — I cannot tell you how many people told me they picked the book up to check it out by dint of that cover. It is a single image that contains myriad images: dozens of little scenes and snippets from the book.

So, I beseech you here today — pleading eyes searching, sweaty palms turned heavenward, manly tears streaking my gore-caked beard. I ask you to go and place your vote for your favorite cover of the year. If that cover is Blackbirds, then I shall high-five you when we both arrive in Valhalla. If it’s not, then so be it. I mean, I might drive over you with my car if I see you crossing the road, but that’s the way it goes. No harm no foul, right?

I haven’t read the novel yet, but the cover art is really great. It definately did inspire me when laying out ideas for Signs of the Assassin’s cover. And so far, it’s looking awesome. Although I strangely like the back cover more than the front… Thank you.

I have read neither of these books, though I plan on picking Blackbirds up when I have some spare cash (I plan on picking up a lot of books when I have some spare cash…) But the Blackbirds cover appeals to me in a way that the Discount Armageddon cover does and so it gets my vote. That title on Discount Armageddon appeals to me, too, though, so I suppose it also goes on my “when I have money” list.

Voted for your totally bad-ass cover. Hats off to the artist. It’s compelling and memorable for a number of reasons: 1) people notice high contrast images, 2) red, white, and black are a power trio, 3) red is one of two colors human beings pick up on before the rest (the other is yellow), 4) has a sexy font well placed, 5) uncluttered treatment (less is more), 5) dynamic cropping, 6) truly masterful rendering of captivating, swirly shapes that dovetail so as to trap the eye on the page. Those features in no particular order but as an overall effect combine to evoke a sense of mystery and intrigue. If I saw the book in a store I would zoom in like a moth to flame. Would make a great poster.